BREAKING: Over 20 Dogs Seized in Buffalo Dog Fighting Raid

Pictured at right: One of dozens of dogs rescued from a dog fighting bust in the Bronx in 2012.

At the request of the Buffalo Police Department and the SPCA Serving Erie County, the ASPCA is on the ground in Buffalo, New York assisting in a multi-site dog fighting raid.

This morning, eight search warrants were executed at several sites in the Buffalo area. In addition to evidence collection, the ASPCA’s Field Investigations and Response team is assisting in the seizure of at least 20 dogs from several properties, where they were allegedly being housed and fought. Investigators report that many of the dogs exhibited scars and wounds consistent with fighting, and some appeared to be emaciated and in poor health.

“Dog fighting is a national epidemic, and we are grateful for local authorities in actively pursuing the case and seeking justice for these innocent victims who were forced to live in deplorable conditions and subjected to horrific abuse,” said Tim Rickey, Vice President of ASPCA Field Investigations and Response.

The dogs seized during the raid will be cared for by the SPCA Serving Erie County.

In the last month alone, the ASPCA also assisted local and federal authorities in dog fighting cases in Dover, Delaware and Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Dog fighting is a felony in all 50 states, and we are working hard to put an end to this brutal blood sport.

Please visit aspca.org/dogfighting for more information on the ASPCA’s efforts to tackle dog fighting and what the public can do to help.